Best Winter Coats For Men: Top 6 Warm Jackets, According To Experts

Winter’s icy grip may be upon us, but fear not, gentlemen! You can transform those blustery days into cozy adventures with the right coat. But navigating the sea of winter jackets can be daunting. Worry not, for this guide will equip you with the knowledge to select the best winter coats for men that are trusty shields against the elements and stylish statement pieces all in one.

What to look for in a good winter coat:

  • Insulation matters: Choose between down (lightweight, compressible warmth) or synthetic fills (water-resistant, allergy-friendly). Fill power indicates warmth; aim for 600+ for extreme cold.
  • Waterproof/water-resistant: Stay dry in sleet or snow with a waterproof or water-resistant shell. Look for features like sealed seams and a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish.
  • Windproof prowess: A windproof membrane keeps icy gusts at bay. Look for technical fabrics like Gore-Tex or Pertex for ultimate protection.
  • Hoods: A snug hood adds extra warmth and protection from the elements. Look for adjustable features like drawstrings and faux fur trim.
  • Pockets galore: Ample pockets keep essentials close and hands toasty. Internal pockets offer extra security for valuables.
  • Parkas for purpose: For harsh conditions, a parka’s length and features provide maximum protection. Think thigh-length coverage, insulated hoods, and snow skirts.
  • Puffers for performance: Lightweight and packable, puffers are ideal for active pursuits. Look for down or synthetic fills and features like water resistance.
  • Peacoats for polish: A classic peacoat offers timeless style and warmth for city strolls. Opt for wool or wool blends for a sophisticated look.

Remember, the best winter coat for men is the one that meets your needs and makes you feel confident. Consider your typical winter weather, activity level, and budget when making your choice. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be ready to conquer the cold in style and comfort.

There’s a certain swagger that comes with knowing you’re not just adequately protected from the chill, but also turning heads as you do so. We at StudyFinds have consulted 10 expert reviews and our list of the best winter coats for men is made up of the recommendations that appeared most. Take a look and share your favorite in the comments!

Someone wearing a parka in the snow
Someone wearing a parka in the snow (Photo by Daniel Bowman on Unsplash)

The List: Best Winter Coats for Men, Per Fashion Experts

 

1. The North Face McMurdo Parka 

Number one on our list of the best men’s coats is the North Face McMurdo Parka. “Versatility is key, especially when investing in a high-priced article of clothing that you’ll wear for years—like men’s winter coats. This The North Face parka seamlessly goes from a city commute to the slopes. The North Face’s heavy-duty men’s winter coats are rugged, durable and breathable to prevent overheating,” writes Reader’s Digest.

North Face McMurdo Parka
North Face McMurdo Parka

The North Face McMurdo Parka is praised for its exceptional warmth, making it a reliable choice for individuals facing extremely cold temperatures. “We found this parka from The North Face to be extremely comfortable despite its bulky size; you could throw it over just a T-shirt and still be warm. We especially appreciated the adjustable hood with the removable faux fur trim, as it’s a nice feature for when the temperatures are a bit higher and we don’t need the full-on parka experience,” shares People.

This awesome coat not only provides top-tier insulation but also ensures longevity. “The North Face is a brand that needs no introduction. It’s dominated the gear space for decades, and its McMurdo Down Parka epitomizes the genius and precision that launched the brand into the stratosphere. The windproof, waterproof, and 600-fill power down-insulated parka leverages a recycled nylon plain weave construction and a DWR treatment to seal this bad boy from the harshest winter conditions. It features two dual-entry front patch pockets, two secure-zip alpine chest pockets, and an adjustable hood with removable faux fur for added style points and warmth. A truly great parka,” raves Hi Consumption.

2. The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse

Number two on our list of the best men’s coats is another great pick from The North Face with a slightly different style. “The Nuptse is a classic puffer. You might be drawn in by the retro, street-style design, but it’s also extremely warm, thanks to goose-down insulation. The lightweight filling makes the jacket compressible, which keeps the fit flexible and counteracts the boxy silhouette. The hood stows right into the collar, making it easy to pull out as soon as a drizzle starts. This men’s winter coat offers a bold color-blocked design, so have fun and go with a pop or pattern or choose classic black,” shares Reader’s Digest.

The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket
The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket (thenorthface.com)

A well-dressed man in a great coat is a head-turner. “A household name for their outerwear, The North Face has firmly marked their place as the leaders in high quality puffer jackets. The 90s classic silhouette has been brought back with the nuptse jacket, but this time it’s made from recycled nylon and responsibly sourced down to insulate. The jacket kept us very snug and warm on colder days and will be the perfect lightweight and comfortable choice throughout the cold months,” notes Independent.

It’s not just outerwear; it’s a statement piece for men who care about style. “The North Face took technical wear onto the streets, and its apparel can now be seen on everyone, from middle-England dads to grime MCs. And while we’re sure Stormzy isn’t too concerned about the 700 down and the awesome breathability, we certainly are (well, you never know – maybe his next album is about jacket insulation). The North Face jackets are cut shorter on draw in towards the waist, giving the wearer a puffed-chest look. It’s the millennial way of peacocking,” writes The Telegraph.

3. Polo Ralph Lauren

Experts recommend a few different styles from Ralph Lauren. Men’s Journal likes the Ralph Lauren Soft Wool-Blend Topcoat which “features the silhouette of a classic car coat with a soft wool blend fabric that’s made in Italy exclusively for Ralph Lauren. The shell is made from 75 percent wool and 25 percent polyamide, while the body lining is 51 percent cotton and 49 percent viscose. It’s the kind of topcoat that’ll have you looking like a stylish professional no matter where you are or what’s underneath.”

Polo Ralph Lauren Wool-Blend Melton Peacoat
Polo Ralph Lauren Wool-Blend Melton Peacoat (ralphlauren.com)

A quality coat is the secret weapon in a man’s wardrobe arsenal. Another similar option to wow everyone with your style is their Melton Peacoat. “If you’re looking for a classic pea coat, this one fits the bill, right down to the anchors imprinted on the buttons. We found this coat to be supremely comfortable during our tests. It fit well but was still roomy enough around the shoulders, arms, and chest to offer good range of motion. The outer wool fabric and lining were very soft, too,” says People.

For more of a waterproof jacket, Luxatic recommends the Portland Hooded Shell Jacket. This one resembles a rain jacket, but still keeps you toasty in the cold. “This fashion-forward brand brings you a timeless winter jacket that is not only a classic with its navy color, but it is waterproof. Not just water-resistant, it is fully waterproof and it comes with a hood, so you can go ahead and plan your outings with no worries. And you will keep warm while looking stylish,” notes Luxatic.

4. Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka

Like its name states, this winter coat is certainly stretchy. “This jacket is very comfortable, breathable, and warm, although we recommend sizing down, as this jacket does run large. Even with sizing down, we were able to fit multiple layers — though it’s warm enough without them — and used the parka as their outer shell. The hood is insulated, and we felt exceptionally nice on a cold, windy day. We also liked that the water-resistant exterior did hold up its part of the bargain in the rain,” writes People.

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka

When Mountain Hardwear designed this coat, they were serious about creating quality. “Unlike most down jackets, which place the insulation in baffles or panels, the Stretchdown Parka from Mountain Hardwear weaves pockets of 700-fill down insulation from a single stretch fabric, which means that you won’t find any cold spots and total freedom of movement thanks to that proprietary stretch fabric. It comes with an insulated hood with an elastic binding, two secure zip chest pockets, zippered hand pockets, and elastic binding on the cuffs, a detail our tester appreciated because they didn’t have to fuss with Velcro to seal out the elements. We also loved the main two-way zipper, which helps regulate heat and can accommodate wearing a harness without sacrificing on insulation. But our tester noted that the jacket runs large, allowing for extra layers,” says Trip Savvy.

5. Rab Neutrino Pro

Do you find yourself climbing mountains in the winter? This may just be the coat for you. “Built for high-alpine adventuring, the Rab Neutrino Pro looks crazy-warm, and appearances don’t deceive. The jacket comes with 800FP goose down insulation wrapped around a 100-percent recycled Pertex Quantum Pro outer shell that blocks out the elements and breathes astoundingly well. Twisted arm baffles provide an articulated fit that frees your arms and promotes movement, and an adjustable hem and Velcro cuffs help seal out the cold and wet. The padded insulation felt a bit much, but our tester was surprised at how well the jacket could compress, which added to a cozy, comfy fit,” notes Trip Savvy.

Rab Neutrino Pro
Rab Neutrino Pro (rab.equipment)

What do we want? The best men’s coats. When do we want it? As soon as shipping allows. “This jacket is crazy warm — all we needed to do to weather the cold was pull up the hood and pull on a pair of gloves. The material is soft and insulated with 800-fill down — warm enough for you to climb up snowy peaks up to 4,000 meters. It’s made from Pertex Quantum Pro, so it stands up to wind and rain, too. They thought out everything with the design of this jacket. For starters, it has a two-way zipper which makes it easy to accommodate harnesses when you’re climbing or hiking. We also loved the adjustable hood, which features a small rim in the front to shield the sun or block out rain and snow. The hood is roomy enough to pull over a helmet, so that you can keep safe and warm during all of your outdoor activities,” raves People.

6. Outdoor Research Stormcraft Down Parka 

Number six on the list of the best men’s coats is the Outdoor Research Stormcraft. “If you’ve always thought a good winter coat is supposed to make you look like a human marshmallow, this parka from Outdoor Research will make you rethink outerwear. This Gore-Tex parka is waterproof and windproof, plus it’s insulated. But we discovered something surprising: Because it’s made of breathable fabric, it actually kept us comfortable on those warmer winter days, too,” writes People.

Outdoor Research Stormcraft Down Parka
Outdoor Research Stormcraft Down Parka (outdoorresearch.com)

Planning for a blizzard? You better grab one of these. “The myriad benefits of the Stormcraft Down Parka from Outdoor Research are stealthily applied—our tester noted that it feels relatively thin compared to heavier winter jackets, but that ‘lack of puff’ provides a full range of motion and ample layering opportunities thanks to its relaxed fit, and it kept them warm on days when the temps were well below freezing. That heat comes from 700+ fill, responsibly-sourced down, which works with a weatherproof outer Gore-Tex layer that really blocks out the elements without sacrificing breathability,” notes Trip Savvy.

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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.

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About the Author

Te-Erika Patterson

Te-Erika is the Publisher of The Feisty News for Women, the only full-service news source for women. Te-Erika is also the author of How To Love a Powerful Woman, Leave Your Baby Daddy and Loving Female Led Relationships: Relationships that Empower Women. A graduate of The University of Florida, Te-Erika enjoys a thriving career as a digital content creator that has spanned more than a decade. She enjoys chocolate, wine and solitude, and she is currently living a quiet life in Montgomery, Alabama. Follow her @Te-Erika

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Comments

  1. So wrong. Folks who live in extreme northern climates, like we do, know that the best is Canada Goose coats. Second best, and way less expensive, is L.L.Bean’s Mountain Parka which is warm, waterproof, and really comfortable.

  2. I was surprised that Columbia Sportwear wasn’t included in this list. I’ve worn their coats for over ten years and found them to be warm and well made.

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